Figure 1: Ami Fukui on piano and Fumika Asari on guitar at Bon Courage in 2023 Bon Courage is a simple and easy-going jazz room newly opened in 2020 in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The impetus for opening Bon Courage (aka “Bon Kura”) was to encourage and support musicians and the arts during that difficult period, thus, bon courage (have courage, good luck) was meant as much for encouraging the musicians as well as the general public and audience. It’s a sentiment that can no doubt also be directed to the brave entrepreneurs who opened such shops in the middle of unpredictable health emergencies as well. ...

Figure 1: Heading for Expression Jazz fans new to Japan are often surprised and pleased by the abundance of jazz in Japan. In contrast with some other regions, the jazz genre immediately seems more appreciated and can pop up in expected places. One example is the unique new business Expression in the Jimbocho district of Tokyo. This underground space goes by “Creative Basement Expression” and “Coworking and Jazz Club Expression”. It is a typical tidy and organized multi-use room. ...

Figure 1: Maiko (violin), Hitomi Nishiyama (piano), Daiki Yasukagawa (bass), and Manabu Hashimoto (drums) at B-flat in 2017 B-flat is a solid jazz bar located near a Tokyo business neighborhood. This respectable live spot opened in 2001 near Tokyo’s Akasaka TBS television station “Big Hat” and Akasaka Biz Tower. Given the neighborhood, this is a great choice for the many business people and foreigners who work in and visit the area. It’s easy to imagine office workers, after a long day of meetings, popping in for the comfortable atmosphere, live music, and a round of drinks. ...

Figure 1: The Joe Rosenberg Trio with Kosuke Ochiai and Ko Omura in 2023 The newish and attractive jazz bar Kohaku (opened in 2019) is hidden away on the sixth floor of a nondescript building near the center of bustling Shibuya, a district known for its youthful vibe and vibrant attractions. ...

Figure 1: Yoshio Suzuki and Generation Gap at Pit Inn in 2010 Jazz Club Pit Inn in Tokyo is one of the most well-known and respected jazz clubs in Tokyo, and for good reason. In business since 1965, this authentically genuine jazz spot is very popular with local music fans, and the popular spot also gets its share of tourists dropping in. Since its original opening, the club has relocated once and also opened other branches and related businesses such as rehearsal and recording spaces. Currently, Pit Inn’s main venue for hearing live music is the club which opened in 1992 in Shinjuku, Tokyo. ...

Figure 1: The Nami Kano Quartet at Lydian in 2017 Tokyo jazz club Lydian quickly entered the list of favorite places to listen to live jazz that had opened in the past decade. This jazz spot took a listener-friendly approach and created a completely enjoyable experience with great audio and lighting. Lydian was in business for about seven years, steadily gaining traction with local jazz musicians and fans until closing down earlier this year. ...

Figure 1: Guitarist Yudo Matsuo with Bonanza in 2012 Sometime, one of the must-visit jazz bars in Tokyo, perhaps derives its name from an old Glenn Miller jazz standard, or perhaps from the paraphrased Mae West quote “Come up and see me sometime,” a slogan which can be found on Sometime’s t-shirts and other merchandise for sale here. ...

Figure 1: Winding down after an energetic live jazz show at No Room for Squares. Compared to the older and more well-known jazz rooms in Tokyo, No Room for Squares still feels like a new and fresh-faced music and cocktail bar, which actually opened in the second half of 2019 right before the pandemic. Fortunately, this worthwhile bar survived and continues to offer exciting live music and top-quality record selections for both jazz fans and those looking for a trendy, atmospheric experience. ...

Note: Dug has announced that they will be closing permanently on June 27, 2026. A 65-year history is coming to an end, so swing by while you still can! Figure 1: Relaxing with great music and atmosphere in a dark corner of Dug Well-regarded and oft-mentioned, the dark and soulful jazz cafe Dug may be one of the first stops on a jazz seeker’s quest in Japan. For many years, Dug has been one of the few jazz bars listed in popular guidebooks and tourist information. ...

Figure 1: Tetsuji Yoshida and Mikiko Nagatake performing at Knuttel House in March 2023 Nestled in an ordinary neighborhood located between the popular Tokyo tourist sites of Ueno Park and Asakusa’s Senso-ji temple, Knuttel House is a hidden treasure for underground music and art fans. The working-class surroundings are a point of distinction for this spot, where the associated qualities of honest, hard-working folk doing business and honing their craft align comfortably in this old downtown district. At Knuttel House, the craft includes a small gallery with art on the walls and live performances of jazz, free jazz, improvisation, and experimental artists. An example is described in a previous post about a live album recorded here. ...